Contextuality, decoherence and quantum trajectories

TL;DR

This paper explores how quantum contextuality relates to decoherence in matter interference experiments using a simplified quantum-trajectory model that helps interpret decoherence effects in complex systems.

Contribution

It introduces a reduced quantum-trajectory model linking quantum contextuality and decoherence, facilitating analysis of multi-dimensional systems without full Bohmian computations.

Findings

Trajectory crossing linked to interference quenching and 'which-way' information erasure

Model provides insights into decoherence in high-dimensional quantum systems

Simplifies analysis of quantum trajectories in complex environments

Abstract

Here we analyze the relationship between quantum contextuality and decoherence in interference experiments with matter particles by means of a simple reduced quantum-trajectory model, which attempts to simulate the behavior of the projections of multi-dimensional, system-plus-environment Bohmian trajectories onto the subspace of the reduced system. This model allows us to understand the crossing of the subsystem trajectories as a combined effect of interference quenching and erasure of ``which-way'' information, which can be of utility to interpret decoherence effects in many-dimensional systems where full Bohmian treatments become prohibitive computationally.